A catastrophic accident can result in injuries and pain with lifelong consequences for the victim and their loved ones.
If you suffered a catastrophic injury in Wilmington, North Carolina, you might be entitled to pursue compensation for high-cost, long-term medical care and other losses if someone else’s negligence caused the accident. But you should not have to deal with insurance companies or legal matters alone, particularly after a catastrophic accident.
Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, is a personal injury and workers’ compensation law firm with offices in Wadesboro and Wilmington, North Carolina. We understand complex catastrophic injury claims and are ready to fight for the money you need.
If you suffered a catastrophic injury from someone else’s wrongdoing, the Wilmington catastrophic injury attorneys with Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, want to help. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
The designation of an injury as “catastrophic” is not only a description of its severity but also an acknowledgment of its long-term impact.
A person with a catastrophic injury faces numerous challenges that often require extensive support and assistance, including:
- Medical treatment, surgery, medication, and specialized healthcare
- Rehabilitation and therapy, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy
- Assistive devices such as wheelchairs and prosthetics
- Caregivers for assistance with daily living activities
- Transportation assistance for mobility challenges
- Psychological and social support to help with emotional trauma after injury
Why Are Catastrophic Injury Cases More Complex?
Catastrophic injury claims are inherently more complex due to the severity and long-term implications of the injuries involved. Simply put, a lot more money is on the line. Determining liability and sources of compensation can be challenging, requiring a thorough investigation and expert testimony.
Other factors make catastrophic injury claims complex:
- The long-term prognosis is often unclear, making it more difficult to calculate losses.
- More significant injuries result in higher losses, which insurance companies are often reluctant to pay.
- Catastrophic injuries affect the entire family, requiring compensation for family members who may become caregivers or suffer a loss of consortium.
- Multiple liable parties could be responsible for causing or contributing to the injury.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring Our Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Wilmington, NC?
For over 40 years, Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, has successfully fought for catastrophically injured people in Wilmington and throughout North Carolina, securing compensation through settlements and verdicts. Our award-winning law firm handles complex cases involving catastrophic injuries from car accidents, workplace accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, and other types of personal injury cases.
Hiring our experienced catastrophic injury attorneys in Wilmington, NC, can provide numerous benefits for your case, such as:
- Gathering evidence
- Determining liability
- Assessing damages
- Consulting with medical experts to better understand the scope of injuries
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing you in court if a settlement is impossible
- Protecting your legal rights
- Meeting all legal deadlines and responsibilities
Common Types and Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic accidents, resulting in severe and often life-changing injuries, can occur in various ways. Some common causes are:
- Motor vehicle accidents involving cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, trucks and bicycles.
- Slip-and-fall accidents or falling objects
- Workplace accidents in hazardous industries like construction, manufacturing, and mining
- Birth injuries and other types of medical malpractice
- Violence and assault
- Fires and explosions
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Train and bus accidents
- Sports and recreation accidents from lack of supervision or safety gear
- Defective products
- Aviation and boating accidents
A catastrophic injury has profound, long-term effects on the victim, often leading to permanent disabilities and conditions that last the rest of the patient’s life. These injuries are so severe that they usually result in substantial, lifelong medical costs and often necessitate ongoing personal care or assistance.
Catastrophic injury examples include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – Any damage to the brain can have profound consequences, affecting cognitive function, memory, and emotional well-being.
- Spinal cord injuries – Damage to the spinal cord can lead to paralysis, including paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Multiple bone fractures – Numerous broken bones can lead to mobility issues, numbness, and chronic pain.
- Amputations – Losing a limb in an accident is life-changing and requires lifelong care and adaptation.
- Organ damage – Serious damage to vital organs like the heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys can require ongoing treatment and shorten a person’s life expectancy.
- Severe burns – Third-degree burns or worse can cause permanent scarring, and chronic pain, requiring multiple surgeries, grafting, and ongoing therapy.
- Loss of vision or hearing – Damage to the eyes or ears that leads to permanent loss of sight or hearing are catastrophic injuries.
Seeking Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries
You could recover compensation for catastrophic injuries that result from negligence or wrongful acts. This compensation could include:
- Medical expenses, including future medical care
- Long-term personal care
- Loss of wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Home and vehicle modifications for accessibility
- Assistive devices
- Loss of consortium
Surviving family members may seek compensation in a wrongful death claim if a loved one succumbed to catastrophic injuries caused by someone else.
Statute of Limitations in Catastrophic Injury Cases in Wilmington
North Carolina’s statute of limitations for catastrophic injury cases generally allows three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. The time limit underscores the importance of acting quickly. Consulting a catastrophic injury lawyer in Wilmington promptly ensures you meet all legal deadlines and preserve your right to compensation.
Talk to Our Experienced Wilmington Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Today
You cannot plan for the physical, emotional, and financial suffering that results from a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. However, you can talk to an experienced catastrophic injury attorney who will fight for every dollar you need.
Our catastrophic injury law firm has the resources to protect your rights and seek maximum compensation. We are prepared to guide you through the legal process, provide valuable insights into your situation, and represent you with passion and integrity. Your recovery is our priority at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC. Let us help you seek compensation and justice for someone else’s harmful actions.
Talk to an experienced Wilmington catastrophic injury lawyer about your case today. Contact Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, for a free, confidential consultation.
